We live in an era where digital entertainment dominates. Besides, we live in an era where scammers don’t rest and develop more and more sophisticated techniques to steal things like money, identity, or other personal details.
If earlier, the general public was the main target, now scammers target gaming communities too. Gamers spot the rising number of scam calls and phishing attempts as online gaming popularity grows. In this regard, gamers need to know what they can deal with and how they can protect themselves.
Let’s delve into how exactly gamers are being targeted and what they can do to protect themselves.
Why are gamers prime targets?
Not so long ago, gaming was a niche hobby. Now, there are millions of players around the globe who engage in online multiplayer games, competitive sports, and streaming platforms. In this regard, they have many vulnerabilities that scammers want to exploit. Here are some of them:
- Valuable digital assets. More often than not, modern games incorporate in-game purchases, rare items, and virtual currencies. Scammers believe it’s a perfect opportunity for them to gain access to accounts so that they can steal these things. Later, they can sell them on black markets;
- Linked payment methods. If you have a PlayStation, Xbox Live, or Steam account, you likely store your credit card details on these platforms. Your accounts are a goldmine for cybercriminals;
- Social connectivity. Players communicate through gaming forums, Discord chats, and social media. These conversations can be used by scammers for impersonation scams.
Types of scams targeting gamers
1. Fake customer support calls
Gamers often encounter situations where they receive calls from people claiming to be representatives or tech support of gaming platforms, attempting to obtain confidential information such as login credentials, passwords, and payment details.
If you deal with such phone calls a lot and suspect there’s something strange about them, you should take advantage of a reverse phone number lookup service. In this regard, you can check out ClarityCheck reviews to take advantage of the tool that will protect you from scam calls.
2. Phishing emails and messages
You might get fraudulent emails that impersonate legitimate gaming companies. The body of an email can say that your account has been compromised and you need to click on a link to “verify” your credentials. In turn, such a link can lead you to a fake website that will capture your login credentials. Once scammers gain access, they can steal your in-game assets or payment information.
3. Giveaways and free game scams
No one will disagree that a message saying “Congratulations! You’ve won a free game!” might not sound exciting. However, these messages often come with a link to sites where gamers need to enter their personal information. Besides stealing your confidential data, it can inflict your devices with malware.
4. Account trading and boosting scams
When you can’t achieve a goal in a game, you’ll be tempted to take advantage of boosting services. Scammers, in turn, exploit this demand by offering “premium” accounts or ranking services at low prices. Once you pay, you’ll be left with nothing, and the fraudster will disappear.
How to protect yourself from these scams
Knowledge is power. Besides knowing what scams can look like, you should also know how to protect yourself from them. Here are the most efficient tips:
Enable 2FA
Most gaming platforms offer 2FA. It can provide you with an extra layer of security for your accounts. Even if someone knows your password, they won’t get access to your gaming account without the secondary authentication code.
Never share login credentials
Have you ever seen a gaming company ask for your password via email, phone call, or direct message? No legitimate gaming company does this. If you ever receive such a request, you should know that it’s a red flag.
Verify official sources
Links in emails should always give you a warning. You should remember to be especially cautious with any links. No matter where a link directs you, always ensure that the source is official. Check if the link includes HTTPS. If it’s just HTTP, that alone should raise suspicion. Additionally, scammers deceive people by changing a single letter in the name of an allegedly official source, making it easy to overlook.
Be cautious of unsolicited calls
Just like links, calls from unknown numbers claiming to be tech support should raise suspicion. You should be even more cautious if the “specialist” requests your confidential information.
In such cases, you should equip yourself with a reverse phone number lookup service. Additionally, always contact tech support through official channels.
Avoid too-good-to-be-true offers
It’s likely a scam if you get an offer that is hard to resist. If someone offers a free game, discounted in-game currency, or a high-level account, you should think twice before you agree to it. Always remember that the only free cheese is in the mousetrap.
Wrapping up
Unsuspecting gamers can easily fall prey to cybercriminals. As the gaming community grows by leaps and bounds around the world, scammers come up with more sophisticated methods. You should know what scams are out there and what you can do to protect yourself.